Column

The Snowboy Column (April)

As my hands keep telling (because they hurt), I’ve just finished my UK tour with my Latin Jazz group and the world’s greatest living Salsa singer, Herman Olivera. With the exception of three Mambo Jazz tunes it was just straight down the line heavy Salsa all the way. 5 out of the 7 dates were sold out so that can’t be bad. We finished at my favourite venue on this planet – ‘Band On The Wall’ in Manchester. What makes the venue even more special is that the booker there is the legendary Jazz FM presenter, Mike Chadwick, who I’m proud to say is a close friend of mine. Herman Olivera, of course, is the current singer with Eddie Palmieri, and Eddie will be at Ronnie Scotts for three nights at the end of the month. I’ll be going to all three!

THE GOOD FOOT & SHIFTLESS SHUFFLE

Next month I’ll be giving you details of my Jazz Dance weekender in September and also my 30’s & 40’s Weekender in March next year. Both in Torquay. Also, I’ll be updating you on all the latest information about Vintage At Southbank’ in late-July. Meanwhile, you can catch me deejaying at the amazing Jazz Dance session Shiftless Shuffle’ Sunday the 17th at the ‘O’ Bar, Brewer Street, London at my DJ residency every Friday at Madame Jo Jo’s. The night is called The Good Foot and we play 60’s & 70’s Funk, R&B, Soul, Boogaloo and Rare Groove. Guesting this month are:

April 8th – DR BOB JONES
April 15th – ROGER BANKS (the UK’s King of 60’s R&B)
April 22nd – SI CHEEBA
April 29th – IAN WRIGHT

Also, I’m proud to say that I’m now the main music programmer for The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show every Saturday night on BBC Radio 6.

THE CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL FESTIVAL

As you can see below, this must be the most exciting line-up of any UK Jazz Festival this year. Quite astounding. It runs from Wednesday 27th of April til the 2nd of May at various venues. Tickets and info from: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

Kit Downes Sextet, Kyle Eastwood, Brass Jaw, Gwyneth Herbert
Ben Powell, Liane Carroll Bare Feet & Beehives, Outhouse Quartet, Jazz Library, Jamie Cullum in Conversation, Cleo Laine, Anthony Strong, Sara Colman, Denys Baptiste, Sierra Maestra, Music Night, Andy Sheppard Trio, Freehouse: Xposed Club, Phronesis, Neil Cowley Trio, Sam Crockatt Quartet, Django Bates Beloved Bird, The Horne Section, Trondheim Jazz Project, Tord Gustavsen, Fromage En Fe, Curios Lucinda Belle Orchestra, Andreya Triana, Julian Arguelless & john Taylor, Portico Quartet, Stian Westerhus, Animation Migration, Spin Marvel, Overtone Quartet, Pharoah Sanders, Alan Wilkinson Trio, Freehouse Indeterminacy, Big Air, Susanna, Django Bates and the T.D.E.S, Roots Manuva & Bonobo, Lamb.
cheltenhamfestivals.com

BOISDALE LAUNCHES
NEW JAZZ CLUB IN CANARY WHARF!

Boisdale of Canary Wharf, located in Cabot Hall overlooking the fountains of Cabot Square, offers a brilliant new opportunity for music lovers in London – an incredible new venue offering live jazz six nights a week. As a destination in its own right, with two stunning restaurants and two bars, Boisdale of Canary Wharf will undoubtedly be a sure-fire hit.

The venue will showcase a wealth of excellent music from across the board, host of UK based talent, and the venue’s opening months include sets from the singers Liane Carroll and Natalie Williams, the Jim Mullen Organ Trio, Ray Gelato and his Giants, percussionist Roberto Pla and Pete Long’s 9:20 Deluxe big band.

Jools Holland is also on board as Patron Of Music for the venue. “I am honoured to have been invited to be Patron of Music for Boisdale Canary Wharf,” he says. “I am delighted that a new brilliant live music venue will be opening in London, a place which intends to feature world class music from the world of jazz, blues and soul every night. I am counting the moments ‘till June 21st when I will be giving a special performance there with my Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.”

With a programme bursting with the very best in jazz, blues, funk and soul, from local talent to internationally renowned stars, Boisdale of Canary Wharf is set to inject a dose of classic style and sophistication into London’s nightlife.

Jazz FM have teamed up with Boisdale of Canary Wharf to launch The Discovery Show, a programme featuring live world-class jazz, blues, funk and soul performances every Wednesday night. The Discovery Show is a first in jazz radio history – it will be recorded every Wednesday night at Boisdale of Canary Wharf and broadcast on Jazz FM every Tuesday night at 8pm. The show will comprise two unknown jazz acts that in the opinion of Jazz FM merit discovery by the British jazz loving public.

Jools Holland, Boisdale of Canary Wharf Patron of Music, will present the bands on the inaugural night Thursday 14th April. The evening, sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, will include performances from new UK funk band, Bad Ass Brass and pianist, singer songwriter Kate Threlfall who was spotted by Jazz FM at London’s Rich Mix to showcase up-and-coming jazz talent in the UK.

“This is a first for Jazz FM,” says Jazz FM’s Chief Exec, Richard Wheatly. “We are always looking for new ways to both support the extraordinary wealth of new jazz talent coming out of the UK and explore innovative programming formats. The Discovery Show, with the support Boisdale, will offer a perfect platform to do just that whilst dining on exceptional British food in the most exciting new music venue to come out of the Capital in a long time."

Boisdale of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, E14 4QT”
boisdale.co.uk/CanaryWharf

New Alex Garnett Release And Tour

Heavily-rated saxophonist Alex Garnett releases his debut album this month entitled Serpent. It features Ross Stanley Piano, Michael Janisch Bass, and Enzo Zirilli Drums and they’ll touring throughout the UK in April to support the release.

April 7: Bonnington Theatre, Nottingham
April 8: Leicester Jazz, Leicester
April 9: Drill Hall, Lincoln
April 10: Herts Jazz, Welwyn Garden City
April 13: Jazz Bar, Edinburgh
April 14: Glasgow Arts Club, Glasgow
April 17: Southport Melodic Jazz Club, Southport
April 19: Dempsey's, Cardiff, Wales
April 20: Swansea Jazz Club, Swansea
April 21: 606 Club, Chelsea London
April 24: Jazz at Ascot, Ascot

REVIEWS

Azymuth – Aurora (Far Out)

Yet again, another fantastic album from Brazilian legends Azymuth. Of course, it’s full of winners as you’d expect. It’s both a great listen at home AND has loads of great club tracks on there for the Jazz Dance DJ’s – especially Carnival Le Grande and Diz No Pe. The only downside is the production. It sounds a little raw and unfinished, which is a shame because the huge, slick, classy production sound is one of their trademarks. It all sounds a little ‘dry’. That said, this is a welcome addition and has that timeless feel to ensure it will never date.

Matthew Halsall – On The Go (Gondwana)

For someone as contemporary and ‘now’ as the fantastic Trumpeter Matthew Halsall he may not like me saying that this CD with his quintet is retro sounding. I should really say timeless, and it is. It’s actually a very beautiful album with fantastic, thoughtful performances from all involved. Mainly mid-tempo to ballad with the exception of the Blakey-esque opening track, the songs conjour up a very relaxing atmosphere – even more so with the almost 60’s cavernous sound by the producer. It’s easy to get lost in the ambience of it all, but WHAT a wonderful place to get lost in! Highly recommended.

Sunlightsquare – Land Of A Thousand Dances (Sunlightsquare Records)

A lovely cover of the 60’s hit that has lit up many a student disco all over the UK for years. I think this Boogaloo/Cha Cha Cha version should do very well. It certainly has some great playing on there and it’s a lot of fun. Strangely enough though, considering they are a Salsa-based band, the percussion and piano are the least prominent thing here. Watch out for a review of the album soon.

The James Taylor Quartet – The Template (Chin Chin)

Here’s a great new CD to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this barrier-breaking institution of the British Funk and Soul scene. Has it been 25 years already? James and his band are firing on all cylinders here as usual, with James himself never sounding better. 11 of the 12 songs here are original compositions, and sounding very classic too, with some featuring the man of the moment John Turrell on vocals. It’s a very natural and comfortable unison, with John sounding as superb as I’ve ever heard him. Lastly, there’s a very tasty instrumental cover of Gil Scott Heron’s Home Is Where The Hatred Is which’ll be sure to pick up a lot of club action. After 25 years James is still one of the hardest working men in show business and here’s proof of why, if any evidence was needed!

LISTINGS

RONNIE SCOTTS

April 1-2 Marlena Shaw
April 4-5 Tim Garland Storm Nocturnes Trio with Geoff Keezer and Joe Locke
Apr 6-7 McCoy Tyner Qrt featuring Gary Bartz
Apr 8-16 Georgie Fame
Apr 18-19 Kurt Rosenwinkel
April 20-23 Kyle Eastwood
Apr 25-26 Simone
Apr 27-29 Eddie Palmieri
Apr 30 Overtone Quartet Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Jason Moran, Eric Harland

Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT
T: +44 (0)20 7439 0747
ronniescotts.co.uk

THE HIDEAWAY, STREATHAM

Sat 2 - Damon Brown Quintet
Sun 3 - The Vince Dunn Band
Mon 4 - Jam Session and Jazz Workshop
Wed 6 - Simon Spillett Quartet
Thur 7 - Cuban Hideaway (salsa class) with live band Soneando
Fri 8 - Trio Manouche
Sat 9 – Empirical
Sun 10 - King Groovy and The Hornstars
Mon 11 - Jam Session and Jazz Workshop
Wed 13 – Partisans
Thur 14 - Cuban Hideaway (salsa class
Fri 15 - Soul Purpose
Sat 16 - Gilad Atzmon
Sun 17 - TBC
Mon 18 - Jam Session and Jazz Workshop
Wed 20 - Mark Fletcher Quartet
Thur 21 - Cuban Hideaway (salsa class)
Fri 22 - Paul Carmichael Band
Sat 23 - Dave O'Higgins Septet
Sun 24 - Ciyo BrownMon 25 - Groove Digger
Wed 27 - Art Themen
Thur 28 - Cuban Hideaway (salsa class)
Fri 29 - Wayne Hernandez
Sat 30 - Sax Appeal feat. Derek Nash

Hideaway, 2 Empire Mews, Streatham, London SW16 2ED
Tel: 020 8835 7070
hideawaylive.co.uk

SNOWBOY

Please feel free to contact Snowboy with any Jazz news/event news that you feel would benefit others at snowboy@bluesandsoul.com Thank you.